1
Francis of Assisi: The Fool
INTRODUCTION TO FRANCIS OF ASSISI St. Francis (1181/1182–1226) is perhaps one of the most wellloved saints in the Christian tradition. Although we may have more of a Hallmark-card image of him as the birdbath Francis, always surrounded by animals with a look of peaceful bliss, he was also a saint who challenged the status quo. Francis was one of those rowdy young men, much like St. Ignatius of Loyola, who was brought up in a very wealthy Italian family, had a life of parties, spent time daydreaming of becoming a knight, and then was sent off to fight in battle as a soldier. Captured, he began having visions while held in prison and returned home a different man. Soon after his return Francis passed a leper, who previously would have caused him to turn away, but instead, he saw Jesus in this encounter and embraced and kissed the man. This encounter had a powerful effect on him and led him to renounce his great wealth and turn to a life of service. One day in the church of San Damiano, right outside of Assisi, he heard this invitation from Jesus: “Francis, rebuild my church which you see is falling into ruins.” Francis’s spontaneous response was a hearty yes, and he gathered a group of brothers together to achieve this. 1